Gang masculinity and high-risk sexual behaviours

Abstract

Context High risk sexual behaviors (HRSB) are one of many problem behaviors, including relationship violence and substance use, which often cluster together among adolescents in high risk settings. Adolescent gang members often show the highest rates of HRSB, substance use and relationship violence. Methods This paper uses 58 in-depth interviews with male and female gang members from 6 different gangs. We explore the role of gangs as powerful socializing peer groups that set gender, sexual and relationship roles and expectations for their male and female members. Results HRSB among gangs included sex with multiple partners and group sex. Gang norms included the belief that male members were sexually insatiable with multiple sexual partners and that female members should be sexually available to male members. Alcohol and drugs were seen to have a large influence on sexual desire and the inability to use condoms. Much sexual behavior with gangs, such as group sex, was viewed with ambivalence and seen as somewhat coercive. Finally, the gendered sexual expectations (boys as sexually insatiable and girls as sexually available) made forming long-term romantic relationships difficult for gang members. Discussion The influence of gang norms on HRSB must be addressed in interventions with gang members.

Should we care: a qualitative exploration of the factors that influence the decision of early marriage among young men in urban slums of Bangladesh

“…There are also evidence that norms, attitude and perceptions about heterogeneous masculinity often instigate adolescent young men to engage in unsafe harmful practices such as practicing violence against others, risky sexual practice, involvement in gangs and substance abuse. 38 In the economically, socially and politically marginalised slum setting, where adolescents lack parental guidance and are surrounded by violence, exploitation and abuse, these vulnerabilities of adolescence can be far greater and more damaging. 39 Respondents informed that crimes, sexual and physical violence, drug addiction in urban slum area are very common.…”

Gender Attitudes, Sexual Risk, Intimate Partner Violence, and Coercive Sex Among Adolescent Gang Members

“…In gangs with a higher proportion of male members, romantic relationships may be more likely to form with partners outside of the gang than with other gang members. Gang members in relationships with non-gang members may be more likely to develop interdependent romantic relationships characterized by inconsistent condom use because they do not have to worry as much about competing loyalties with other gang members and potential conflict between romantic relationships and gang relationships [27].…”

“…In contrast, equitable gender norms regarding gang roles may be detrimental to sexual health. Female gang members who do not engage in "masculine" activities can lose respect from their peers [19]; in contrast, female gang members who are respected may be expected to engage in the same masculine activities, including risky and coercive sex [27], that are expected of male gang members. In addition to sexual risk/coercive sex during daily life, sexual risk during gang initiation through activities like "sexing in" may be a way for female gang members to demonstrate their commitment to the gang [11].…”

Gang membership and sexual violence: associations with childhood maltreatment and psychiatric morbidity

“…In this context, gang membership provides a peer group where all forms of violence are positively regarded that shapes roles, norms and expectations surrounding sex and sexual relationships, socialising expectations of masculine sexual prowess and female availability, and providing role models of masculinity. [24][25][26] Gang membership provides potential victims for predation together with multiple opportunities and outlets for highrisk behaviour for older members, some of whom may be predisposed by damaging effects of early trauma on their subsequent psychosexual development and who sexually initiate new members. The constellation of high-risk behaviours we have described, including sex with multiple partners, sex with men, sex workers, and more than one partner in the same encounter, anal sex, sex usually when intoxicated, and failure to use condoms, are wellrecognised as increasing risks for STIs and HIV.…”